Head, heart and soul training

It's probably a truism that men tend to bond through shared experiences, rather than through feelings and thoughts.

Third-year social sciences student Andrew Fisher sees this as a constraint to men fulfilling their potential. He is inviting UCT students to a one-day workshop under the banner Head, Heart and Soul, under the auspices of the ManKind Project, organisers of the New Warrior adventure weekends.

The project trains and supports men in developing lives of integrity, accountability and a connection to their feelings. Their aim is to foster loving families, strong communities and productive workplaces.

The connection between head and heart is often difficult to make and men lack "safe spaces" in which to talk about themselves and their lives, Fisher says.

"Men have stopped talking to each other in a real way. We create a safe place, a space to talk about real issues in their lives. Men need a space of their own to learn how to be men from other men."

In doing so, they harness the experiences and mentorship of older role models, the leaders, fathers and elders in society.

"It's about living life in a positive way with the support and community of other men," Fisher adds.

The workshops are inclusive of and affirm cultural differences, as well as differences with respect to faith, age, colour, class, sexual orientation, gender, ability, ethnicity and nationality.

It's Fisher's vision to introduce the course to the UCT fraternity, particularly students in residence. His own participation in the course was at a time in his life when he was becoming independent from his parents and carving a life for himself.

The training day will be held on Saturday, August 6, from 08h30 to 18h00 in the Baxter Hall dining room. The cost is R50. Participants are asked to bring a light lunch and a pillow. For bookings or information, contact Andrew Fisher, 083 644 6038, e-mail fshand002@mail.uct.ac.za, or Glenn von Zeil, 072 345 1605, e-mail shogz@protem.uct.ac.za.